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Diversity
We’re driving change so more women can take the wheel.
The logistics industry is facing one of its greatest challenges: a critical shortage of skilled HGV drivers. With thousands approaching retirement and fewer younger recruits stepping forward, the strain on the supply chain is already being felt and forecasts suggest the shortage could double by 2028 unless bold action is taken.
At the same time, women remain one of the most under represented groups in the sector, making up just 1.2% of the UK’s HGV driver workforce.
At Grafters, we see this not just as a problem, but as an opportunity. That’s why we’ve launched a fully funded training scheme, giving women the chance to qualify as HGV drivers at no upfront cost.
This initiative is helping to unlock rewarding, stable careers for women while providing logistics companies with the skilled, diverse talent they urgently need. It appeals to women at every stage of life from younger candidates seeking a fresh career path, to those more established who want work that fits around family or lifestyle commitments. With flexible shift patterns, strong safety measures, and the backing of supportive employers, HGV driving is becoming a realistic and attractive option. The industry is changing, and more women are discovering that logistics can offer not only stability and progression, but also the balance and support that many are looking for in a long-term career.
Why Women in Logistics Matters
Despite being half the working population, women make up just 1.2% of UK HGV drivers. In contrast, countries such as the United States report around 13% of drivers are women showing the UK has huge potential to grow its talent pool. With thousands of drivers due to retire, ignoring this untapped resource would be short-sighted.
The industry is changing. Modern HGV cabs are safer, cleaner, and equipped with advanced technology from sat-nav to real-time tracking. Secure depots, flexible shifts, and tailored support mean driving is no longer the male-dominated career it once was. Women are emerging as highly capable HGV drivers, with data showing they achieve higher pass rates on practical driving tests compared to men.
The Women in Logistics Campaign
Grafters has launched the Women in Logistics campaign to open the road to more women drivers. By covering upfront training costs, providing mentoring, and running initiatives such as our Step into the Driver’s Seat open day, we’re making the industry more accessible than ever. These events give women the chance to chat with female drivers already working in the sector, meet trainers, ask questions, and even experience what it feels like behind the wheel of a HGV. It’s a practical and supportive way to explore a career that offers good rates of pay, flexible shift options, and the chance to build a role around your lifestyle.
And this is just the beginning. The open day is the first of a series of initiatives designed to showcase the opportunities in logistics and highlight the support available for women entering the industry.
Together, We Drive the Future.
But we can’t do it alone. We’re calling on logistics companies to endorse our campaign committing to give opportunities to women drivers, working with Grafters to match talent to roles, and championing diversity across the sector.
But it goes beyond your own business. Real progress comes through collaboration. When logistics companies stand together to support women in the sector, the impact is multiplied, creating shared solutions to recruitment pressures, raising standards across the industry, and building a reputation for logistics as a forward-thinking, inclusive sector. By working collectively, we can strengthen the entire supply chain, inspire the next generation of drivers, and future-proof the industry we all rely on.
Your Role in Driving Change
Supporting women in logistics is more than a diversity pledge it’s a business imperative. By backing women HGV drivers, you’ll gain access to a more reliable, diverse workforce while tackling the ongoing skills shortage. Endorsement also sends a clear signal to candidates and the wider industry that your organisation values skills and commitment above outdated perceptions.
If you’d like to support the Women in Logistics campaign by offering placements for newly qualified women HGV drivers, we’d love to hear from you. Your commitment will help create real opportunities, strengthen the workforce, and drive positive change across the industry.
Contact us today at womeninlogistics@graftersrecruit.co.uk
